In today’s post, I want to educate you about serving in the Army Signal Corps. While I never served in this specialty myself, I definitely think it would have been a fun and rewarding career option, especially for people who like computers and technology.
What I want to do in the paragraphs below is talk about the following things:
- Brief History and Facts About the Signal Corps
- The Mission of the Signal Corps
- Enlisted, Warrant Officer, and Officer Jobs in the Army Signal Corps
- Army Signal Corps Duties and Responsibilities
- Top 10 Reasons to Serve in the Signal Corps
- Books About the Signal Corps
By the time you finish reading this post you should have a better understanding as to whether or not the Signal Corps is a good career option for you.
History and Facts about the Signal Corps
Here are some really cool facts and history about the Signal Corps.
- The Army Signal Corps traces its roots back to the Civil War era
- It was created in 1860 by Major Albert J. Myer
- In 1863 Congress authorized a Signal Corps for the Army, consisting of almost 3,000 officers and Soldiers
- In 1867 the Signal Corps assumed responsibility of the telegraph – within a short time they were responsible for nearly 4,000 miles worth of telegraph
- The Signal Corps has participated in many engagements such as the Civil War, Indian Wars, Spanish American War, Philippine-American War, World Wars 1 and II, the Korean War, Vietnam War, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom
- Five members of the Signal Corps have been awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor
- The headquarters is currently located at Fort Gordon, Georgia
- The Signal Corps is comprised of approximately 20 different career fields, specialties and MOS’s
The Mission of the Signal Corps
Support for the command and control of combined arms forces. Signal support includes Network Operations (information assurance, information dissemination management, and network management) and management of the electromagnetic spectrum. Signal support encompasses all aspects of designing, installing, data communications networks that employ single and multi-channel satellite, tropo-spheric scatter, terrestrial microwave, switching, messaging, video-teleconferencing, visual information, and other related systems. They integrate tactical, strategic and sustaining base communications, information processing and management systems into a seamless global information network that supports knowledge dominance for Army, joint and coalition operations (source: Wiki)
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Enlisted and Officer Jobs in the Army Signal Corps
Enlisted Jobs:
25B – Information Technology Specialist
25C – Radio Operator / Maintainer
25E – Electromagnetic Spectrum Manager
25F – Network Switching Systems Operator / Maintainer
25L – Cable Systems Installer / Maintainer
25M – Multimedia Illustrator
25N – Nodal Network Systems Operator / Maintainer
25P – Microwave Systems Operator / Maintainer
25Q – Multichannel Transmission Systems Operator / Maintainer
25R – Visual Information Equipment Operator / Maintainer
25S – Satellite Communication Systems Operator / Maintainer
25T – Satellite / Microwave Systems Chief
25U – Signal Support Systems Specialist
25V – Combat Documentation / Production Specialist
25W – Telecommunications Operation Chief
25X – Senior Signal Sergeant
25Z – Visual Information Operations Chief
Officer Jobs:
24A – Telecommunications Systems Engineer
24X – Designated Telecommunications Systems Engineer
25A – Signal Officer
Functional Areas:
FA24 Telecommunications Systems Engineer
FA53 Information Systems Management
Warrant Officer Jobs:
255A – Information Systems Technician
255N – Network Management Technician
255S – Information Protection Technician
255Z – Senior Network Operations Technician
Source: Army Portal Signal Jobs
Duties and Responsibilities of the Signal Corps
- Maintain the Army’s voice, data and information systems
- Making tactical decisions
- Coordinate employment of Signal Soldiers at all levels of command
Source: GoArmy.com
Top Reasons to Serve in the Signal Corps
# 5 Serve in a Variety of Staff and Leadership Positions
One of the neatest things about serving in the Signal Corps is that you will have the opportunity to serve in staff and leadership positions. As an NCO, you could be a Squad Leader or Platoon Sergeant, or you could serve as an instructor or staff NCO.
# 4 Have an Important Role on the Battlefield
The Signal Corps has a vital role on the battlefield. Sure, they probably aren’t shooting bullets like the infantry (not in most cases anyway), but they have to keep the line of communications open and operational. They allow all of the different units to communicate with each other using different types of telecommunications equipment.
# 3 Work with Really Cool Equipment
As a Signal Corps Soldier, you could work on radars, radios, computers, networks and just about anything else. The Army has some really cool gadgets and you could be responsible for servicing and maintaining these pieces of equipment.
# 2 Serve In Any Type of Unit
Another thing I like about the Signal Corps is that you could serve in any type of unit. You might get assigned to a school house as an instructor. Or, you could serve in a Signal Company or Battalion in a tactical unit. You definitely will serve in several different types of units throughout your career. You could also be assigned to an infantry battalion, a finance unit, or even a maintenance company. The options are endless.
# 1 Valuable Job Skills
Without a doubt, the best reason to serve as a Signal Corps Officer is the technical skills you will learn. You will get experience with computers and telecommunications equipment. When you decide to leave the Army, you will be in high demand for a good job in the civilian sector.
Final Thoughts
In summary, the Signal Corps has a long and proud history. They also have an extremely important mission in the Army. Serving in the Signal Corps is a great career move for both officers and enlisted alike. It offers lots of career options and provides you “high demand” technical skills that you can use inside or outside of the military.
What do you think? If you have experience in the Signal Corps, I would love to hear from you. Please tell us what your experience was like and why you enjoyed it. Just leave a comment below to share your thoughts. I look forward to hearing from you.
Chuck Holmes
Former Army Major (resigned)
Publisher, Part-Time-Commander.com
Email: mrchuckholmes@gmail.com
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The Army has used the signal corps for years upon years. No matter how much stronger technology grows, there is always room for the signal corps in Army missions.
As a member of the signal corps you can serve in one of the oldest areas of the United States Army. There is a pride that comes with that alone. Not only that. there are opportunities for a career after the Army. Signal corps soldiers are usually the first choice for the ones who guide airplanes into parking areas in airports all around the United States.